Bailey's Irish Cream Cake

 Oh, Julia...I love her!  

She loved good food, 

she loved to cook good food, 

she loved to feed good food the people she loved!

I completely understand :)

Christmas was wonderful with the exception 

of missing my Jessica, 

who could not come home this year.  

That handsome mechanic looked at me two days 

before Christmas and said, 

"Ok, how much would it cost to get her home?"  

"Well, I already checked flights 

(just knowing a wonderful crazy internet special of 

$200.00 would pop up, but NOT...)

and the cheapest one is $1200.00"...sigh....

so...

 

I sent her a small care package of goodies though --

and I cried---

I think if they don't come home when they're 60 I'll still cry...

shocking I know:)

We thoroughly enjoyed cooking for the rest of the family---

finger foods for our Christmas Eve party 

and then a delicious Christmas dinner.  

I'll be sharing some of those recipes soon.  

There's nothing like having my family together for holidays, 

and for that, I will ever be truly grateful.  

They are my heart!

*********************************************************

Sharing my recipe today for a delicious and light cake you may want to make for that New Year's party! 

 Bailey's Irish Cream Cake

Cake 

2 cups cake flour 

1 3/4 cups sugar 

3/4 cup cocoa 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 tablespoon baking soda 

2 eggs 

2/3 cup oil 

3/4 cup buttermilk 

1/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream

1 cup strong black coffee, cooled

Directions

Sift dry ingredients together. 

Beat egg, oil, buttermilk, Baily's Irish Cream, and coffee together. 

Add to the dry ingredients; beat together for about 3 minutes. 

Pour into 2 greased/floured 9 " cake pans.  

Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes or until done. 

Cool completely and frost. 

 Frosting 

2 cups heavy whipping cream 

1/2 cup powdered sugar 

1/2 cup Bailey's Irish Cream 

 Directions

Beat the whipping cream until soft peaks form.  

Add the powdered sugar and Irish Cream and mix until blended.  Frost cooled cake.  

I shaved some white and dark chocolate to decorate 

the top with chocolate curls.  

This cake needs to be kept refrigerated. 

The ingredients...just waiting...

Eggs first...

Buttermilk...

Oil...

Irish Cream...

Coffee...

Mix....

Now, the dry ingredients...

Cake flour...

Sugar...

Cocoa...

Salt...

Baking Soda...

Mix and pour into your cake pans...

After the oven magic happens.. yumminess is created...

Turn them out to cool completely.  

 The Fluffy Frosting...

Whip the cream until soft peaks form and 

add the sugar and Irish Cream...

Frost each lovely layer....

How pretty!!

Looks a little lopsided, but it's ok...trust me...

Shave some chocolate for the top...(I use a potato peeler!)

Mmm...your guests will be very impressed!  

Happy New Year 2013!  :)